Douglas Alexander: “I understand the remaining time on the Democratic side is not needed and may be yielded back.”

I’m careful in what I say publicly because we don’t want to make the same mistakes as our Conservative predecessors, which led to the whole programme being delayed as a consequence of judicial challenge.

There are always teething problems.

I think the First Minister needs to be a little cautious not to keep throwing out these statements when the reality is capital is starting to be deployed by GB Energy.

The Prime Minister’s offer to the Scottish Government is a genuine one, and the Scotland Office is ready to roll up its sleeves alongside them to make it happen.